Bundy hits low 90s during first spring game

PITTSBURGH -- The Orioles got good news on top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy's first extended spring game Tuesday, as the right-hander threw 18 pitches and his fastball averaged in the low 90s.

It was the first time Bundy -- who pitched against the Twins -- faced hitters from another organization since undergoing Tommy John surgery, and it was a big step for him, with manager Buck Showalter texting Bundy on Monday night.

Asked if Bundy, who will throw around 30 pitches and two innings on Saturday, is right where the O's hoped he would be, Showalter said: "I can say ahead, definitely not behind, but I'm not going to. He's just right in the progression. It's kind of like [Johan] Santana -- you got to make sure you don't get ahead of it."

Santana, who has also been throwing in extended spring camp, will make at least a couple more outings there before progressing to a rehab assignment.

Graham fills in as third-base coach for O's

PITTSBURGH -- O's director of player development Brian Graham served as the team's third-base coach in Tuesday's game against the Pirates with Bobby Dickerson attending his daughter's high school graduation.

Graham filled in as bench coach when John Russell stepped in for Orioles manager Buck Showalter in Kansas City on Saturday night, and he lives a short drive outside of Pittsburgh, in Cranberry Township. Prior to that, he spent some time as a big league coach with the Orioles in 2010.

"We are lucky to have him," Showalter said of Graham, who coached third base on Monday night at the team's Class A affiliate in Delmarva. "I could have moved [first-base coach Wayne] Kirb over there, but Kirb's such a good first-base coach. Especially with the two left-handed pitchers [the Pirates are using]."

Graham will stay at home for a few days after the two-game series before heading to Harrisburg, Pa., where Double-A Bowie will play later this week.

"It's fun for me because this is home, and secondly I spent six years with the Pirates, I was director of player development when [Andrew] McCutchen was coming through, and [Starling] Marte was part of our signing period," Graham said. "I absolutely love being in the big leagues and I love my job in the Minor Leagues. So it's good both ways."